News: Marine, son create hunting blind for the disabled

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -Before a Boy Scout becomes an Eagle Scout, he must complete a final project that is a benefit to the community.

Owen Lee, the son of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Walter S. Lee, built a hunting blind for disabled hunters as his final project.

The low-level hunting blind has wheelchair access and does not require climbing.

“The goal of the final project is to put the scout in a leadership role,” said Walter. “The young scout needs to brief the adult troop leaders and community leaders, then lead his peers and finish what they set out to do.”

Owen chose to build a hunting blind because of his love for hunting and to help those with disabilities spend time outdoors.

According to Walter, they chose to build the hunting blind at Oak Grove Marine Corps Outlying Field. Not only does this field serve as a place for Marines to train, but it also serves as a good place to hunt for whitetail deer.

“We built it above a food plot (an approved agricultural area that provides a source of food to whitetail deer), so it’s in a great area,” said Walter.

Unlike baiting game, hunting a food plot is legal in the state of North Carolina.

The Lees finished the blind last May. The first time hunters will use it will be this hunting season.

“We made the stand with the intention of it being used for firearms, not archery,” said Walter. “You can use the sides of the stand to rest your rifle or shotgun and get a better shot.”

According to Walter, the hunting blind can be used by anyone with a permit to hunt on base.

“In addition to helping the disabled, our stand would be perfect for instructing youth hunters, because it has enough room for two people and it doesn’t require climbing,” said Walter.

Since completing the hunting blind, Owen has been pinned as an Eagle Scout.

“I’m extremely proud of him,” said Walter. “He’s helping the community in a meaningful way, and put a lot of hard work and effort into this.”

To learn more about hunting on base, call the air station game warden at 910-449-1356.

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This work, Marine, son create hunting blind for the disabled, by Cpl Martin Egnash, identified by DVIDS, is free of known copyright restrictions under U.S. copyright law.